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How PTSD Physically Affects the Brain
by Brigid Gates
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health disorder that may develop after a traumatic event. These events usually include combat, sexual assault, natural disasters, and vehicle accidents. PTSD is more likely to occur among Veterans when compared to civilians. As a Veteran, you may have experienced horrific experiences that increase your risk. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs:
Let’s discuss how PTSD affects our brains. Research discovering the mechanism of PTSD in the brain is an ongoing process. Certain studies have suggested that PTSD primarily affects two parts of the brain:
The amygdala activates to protect us in starting the fight or flight response. When a traumatic reaction occurs, the amygdala may become overstimulated, producing copious stress hormones. Studies have shown that those with PTSD have overactive activity within their amygdala. Any sound, smell, or event like the initial event causes the same brain cells to fire. In a sense, your brain overreacts when triggered as it incorrectly perceives the same initial threat.
The hippocampus is also in charge of regulating emotions, including fear. Studies show that those with PTSD may have smaller hippocampi related to the damage from elevated stress hormones. A damaged hippocampus is also associated with memory loss. The damage is also why many who experience PTSD cannot recall many events.
Recent studies have also suggested inflammation may play a key role in PTSD. According to this article from the National Center of PTSD, higher levels of inflammation markers in the body may increase the chances of someone developing PTSD when deployed. It is also important to note that high inflammation markers may contribute to decreased antidepressant success levels, a standard treatment for PTSD.
After a traumatic incident, most people have negative symptoms for up to a month which is a normal occurrence called Post Traumatic Stress or PTS. When severe symptoms persist for more than a month, it turns into a disorder. Diagnostic criteria for PTSD include:
The most common signs and symptoms of PTSD include but are not limited to the following:
It is essential to understand that these symptoms are not your fault. PTSD is a disorder that needs treatment, just like those with diabetes need insulin. The brain needs to relearn that certain stimuli are not dangerous and this may take time and medication.
At Liberty Medical Center of Texas, we provide evidence-based treatments that can help you.
Treatments provided at Liberty Medical Center of Texas are:
by Brigid Gates
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health disorder that may develop after a traumatic event. These events usually include combat, sexual assault, natural disasters, and vehicle accidents. PTSD is more likely to occur among Veterans when compared to civilians. As a Veteran, you may have experienced horrific experiences that increase your risk. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs:
- 7 out of every 100 or 7% of Veterans will experience PTSD.
- PTSD is more common among female Veterans, affecting 13% of female cases compared to 6% of male patients.
Let’s discuss how PTSD affects our brains. Research discovering the mechanism of PTSD in the brain is an ongoing process. Certain studies have suggested that PTSD primarily affects two parts of the brain:
- The amygdala initiates the body’s fear response and the release of cortisol.
- The hippocampus- stores memories and processes emotions.
The amygdala activates to protect us in starting the fight or flight response. When a traumatic reaction occurs, the amygdala may become overstimulated, producing copious stress hormones. Studies have shown that those with PTSD have overactive activity within their amygdala. Any sound, smell, or event like the initial event causes the same brain cells to fire. In a sense, your brain overreacts when triggered as it incorrectly perceives the same initial threat.
The hippocampus is also in charge of regulating emotions, including fear. Studies show that those with PTSD may have smaller hippocampi related to the damage from elevated stress hormones. A damaged hippocampus is also associated with memory loss. The damage is also why many who experience PTSD cannot recall many events.
Recent studies have also suggested inflammation may play a key role in PTSD. According to this article from the National Center of PTSD, higher levels of inflammation markers in the body may increase the chances of someone developing PTSD when deployed. It is also important to note that high inflammation markers may contribute to decreased antidepressant success levels, a standard treatment for PTSD.
After a traumatic incident, most people have negative symptoms for up to a month which is a normal occurrence called Post Traumatic Stress or PTS. When severe symptoms persist for more than a month, it turns into a disorder. Diagnostic criteria for PTSD include:
- Intrusive thoughts or re-experiencing
- Extreme avoidance
- Alterations in cognition and mood such as depression
- Extreme anxiety
- Severe functional impairment
The most common signs and symptoms of PTSD include but are not limited to the following:
- Recurrent memories at unwanted times
- Flashbacks and hallucinations
- Recurrent nightmares
- Avoiding people, activities, or places that remind you of the event
- Symptoms of depression such as feeling emotionally numb, hopelessness, lack of interest in anything, and feeling detached
- Memory problems
- Insomnia
- Lack of focus
- Always on guard or on edge
- Easily startled
- Random outbursts of aggressive behavior
- Developing addictions in order to cope
It is essential to understand that these symptoms are not your fault. PTSD is a disorder that needs treatment, just like those with diabetes need insulin. The brain needs to relearn that certain stimuli are not dangerous and this may take time and medication.
At Liberty Medical Center of Texas, we provide evidence-based treatments that can help you.
Treatments provided at Liberty Medical Center of Texas are:
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy
- Anger & Anxiety Management
- Art Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Music Therapy
- Animal Therapy
- Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
To apply to become a member and receive our services please apply on our Liberty Medical Center of Texas Form and learn more about how we can help you today.
For more resources on how to get help for PTSD please don’t hesitate to visit maketheconnection.net.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/publications/rq_docs/V29N4.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5951719/#:~:text=PTSD%20researchers%20have%20often%20focused,of%20elevated%20glucocorticoids%20(5).
https://medlineplus.gov/posttraumaticstressdisorder.html
https://www.webmd.com/brain/amygdala-what-to-know
https://www.webmd.com/brain/hippocampus-what-to-know
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp
PTSD Treatment https://www.maketheconnection.net/conditions/ptsd?gclid=Cj0KCQiAj4ecBhD3ARIsAM4Q_jGCBlRK4d6mCtt2w2uqOHIaiBhC8zkHJmpRlIJX1aVYZwnim9FIWAQaApcuEALw_wcB
For more resources on how to get help for PTSD please don’t hesitate to visit maketheconnection.net.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/publications/rq_docs/V29N4.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5951719/#:~:text=PTSD%20researchers%20have%20often%20focused,of%20elevated%20glucocorticoids%20(5).
https://medlineplus.gov/posttraumaticstressdisorder.html
https://www.webmd.com/brain/amygdala-what-to-know
https://www.webmd.com/brain/hippocampus-what-to-know
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp
PTSD Treatment https://www.maketheconnection.net/conditions/ptsd?gclid=Cj0KCQiAj4ecBhD3ARIsAM4Q_jGCBlRK4d6mCtt2w2uqOHIaiBhC8zkHJmpRlIJX1aVYZwnim9FIWAQaApcuEALw_wcB
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